Wedding Wednesday: Knowing Your Role (Part 1)

While searching for a topic to write about for this month’s (July) Wedding Wednesday series, it dawned on me to clarify a question that has been asked on several occasions from brides and grooms to be – What is the role of my wedding party? So I would like to take the time out and dedicate each Wednesday in the month of July to explain (and hopefully shed some light) on the daunting question. Please keep in mind that this is just a basic description of what each member of the wedding party is responsible for and can vary from wedding to wedding. So let’s begin with the roles of the Matron of Honor, Best Man, Bridesmaids, and Groomsmen/Ushers.

Maid of Honor

• Helps the bride select wedding attire
• Assist the bride with addressing invitations
• Plans bridal shower, bachelorette party, and bridal luncheon if there is one
• Arrives at the dressing site two hours before the ceremony to assist the bride with getting prepared
• Arranges your veil and train before the processional and recessional
• Holds the bride’s bouquet and groom’s ring (if no ring bearer) during the ceremony
• Witnesses the signing of the marriage license

Best Man

• Responsible for organizing the groomsmen’s and ushers’ activities
• Organizes the bachelor party
• Drives groom to ceremony site and sees that he is properly dressed before the wedding
• Brings marriage license to the wedding
• Ensures that the grooms wedding related payments are delivered to the appropriate vendors
• Witnesses the signing of the marriage license
• Drives the newlyweds to the reception if there is not a hired driver
• Offers the first toast at the reception
• Oversees the return of tuxedo rentals for the groom

Bridesmaid

• Attends the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and bridesmaid luncheon if there is one
• Supervises children in the wedding party if asked
• Assist the bride at the reception as requested
• Participates in the receiving line and bouquet toss

Groomsmen/Ushers

• Assist best man with planning the bachelor party
• Attends the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and bachelor party
• Know the seating order; reviewing special seating arrangements prior to the ceremony
• Greeting guests and escorting them to their seats
• Handing each guest a program
• Laying the aisle runner (if one is used)
• Collecting any programs or items left behind by guests
• Helping guests who need directions to the reception site

Hope this information is helpful as you prepare to select the key individuals who will help make your dream wedding come true. Next week, we will cover the basic roles of the bride’s parents.

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